Coin detector



Q Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,483

w. c. BELLOWS COIN DETECTOR Original Filed Sept. .19, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR i y 211121912?! 110w): N W BY 1 Nov. 22, 1927.

W. C. BELLOWS COIN DETECTOR Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 2 SheetS Sheet 2 wlmnqialv 7655054441456715104452 I 0 I 1 6 I l 1 INVENTOR WQZZerC-fiellazw If ,aa 6

ATTORNEYS atented Nov. 22, 1927.

WALTER G. BELLQWS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 STERLING AUTQMATIC. MA,

CHINERY COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y. A CQBPQRA'EION Q11 com onrnoroa Applica on fi Sep em er 1% 1 .2 i l No-fifim- Ren we lnrril 16,. 1.927-

This invention relates to coin-detecting devices, and has particular reference to an improved coin-measuringand weighing device which is in the nature of an improvement over my co-pending application, Serial No. 753,709, filed December 3, 1924.

In many instances coins are inserted into a machine by mistake, and hence the vendee is rightfully entitled to the return of such coins It is therefore the principal and outstanding object of the present invention to provide an improved coin-measuring and weighing device which automatically separates and deflects spurious, badly worn, hent, counterfeit, and coins of other denomination than that. intended to operate the machine, which are of lesser size or greater or lesser Weight than the genuine coin, and in which means is provided for releasing and returning such substitutes upon the insertion of a genuine coin of the proper denomination. More specifically the invention comprehends a coin-detecting device of the character described, a receiving chamber into which all coins or articles other than genuine coins, are discharged by the detecting mechanism, and in which the same, are 1.101- mally maintained against gravitational discharge hy a movable closure element con nected with and operated by the detecting mechanism when actuated by a genuine coin to move the movable closure element to a position to release. said substitutes and permit of their gravitational discharge into a return receptacle.

The invent-ion furthermore contemplates a coin detector of the character set. forth, which is comparatively simple in its mode and operation, which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which is thoroughly reliable and highly efficient in its purpose.

With the above and other objects in view,

reference is had to the following specification and drawings in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of .the invention which is in no way intended as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims as it is to be clearly understood that variations and modifications which properly" fall within the scope of said clai s may be resorted to when found expedient.

In the drawings:- v Figure 1 is vertical sectional view through a coin detector constructed in actaken approximately on the line 55 of V Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, therdetecting device includes a housing 10, which conceals and supports the mechanism and various parts thereof, the housing being provided with a coin slot 11 in one of its walls ofa size and shape to snugly receive a genuine coin of the proper denomination for allowing the free passage of the same into the interior of the housing.

Immediately below and in a position to recelve the colns. whlch are introduced through the coin slot 11,, is a trough 12 of substantially U-shape in cross section, which trough pivoted as at 18, to a downwardly inclined stationary chute 14 secured within the housing. The chute 14, adjacent its lower end, is laterally inclined and is provided with a notch 16"in the lowermost side wall 17. The trough 12 is provided with a downwardly inclined arm 18, the lower edge 19 of which in its normal position, is spaced from the bottom wall 20 of the chute a distance slightly less than the diameter of a genuine coin so that a genuine coin will roll gravitationally through the chute to be discharged from its lower end, whereas coins. of lesser diameter than a genuine coin will fall laterally through the" notch 16. The extreme lower end ofthe arm 18 is weighted, as at 22, and the arm is provided with depending guide pins 23, which extend through guides 24:. projecting from theside wall 17 on opposite sides of the notch 16.

Directly in the pa of the er di chargeend of the chute la, is disp sed. a substan ia lv U-shaped coin-receiving pl form 38, which iscarried on an a m 3 'f umed on a transverse shaft 10. Projecting in theopposite direction from the fulcrumand connected to the a m 3 is a weighted arm 41, which has mounted thereon an adjustable weight element 42 for counterbalancing the platform 38 and for disposing said platform in a position to receive the coins from the 1 lower discharge end of the chute 14 which are of suflicient size to pass the measuring test. A buffer element 43 is d sposed adjacent the outer end of the U-shapedplat form 38 and is adjustable toward and away from the same by screwing or unscrewing its threadedshank 44 in a threaded bearing 45.

when a coin of the proper diameter is discharged from the lower end of the chute 2,: where it will be received in a receiving chamber 46. The, receiving chamber communicates with the lower end of a chute 47, which is provided with a hopper 48 at its upper end underlying the notched portion 16 of the side wall 17 of the chute l4, to receive the coins orsubstitutes of smaller diameter than a genuine coin, so as to convey the same to the receiving chamber 46. If the coin is a genuine one or lighter than a genuine coin,

the buffer 43 and platform 38 will sufficiently co-operate therewith to prevent a suflicient .depression to discharge the coin therefrom so that the platform will be returned by the weight 42 to a normal position. The side walls or wings 49 and 50, of the platform 38 are inclined laterally in the same direction so as to tilt or incline the coin against the wing or wall 49 to cause the coin to roll in a reverse direction away from the'buf fer and down the platform while guided against the side wall 49. A second platform 51 is carried by an arm 52 whichis fulcrumed on the transverseshaft 40 and is disposed in a normal position below the platform 38 to receive the coin which is dis charged therefrom. The arm '52 is provided with an adjustable counter-balancing weight 53 in its free end, and adjacent the outer end of the platform 51, a second buffer element 54 is disposed which is also. adjustable toward and away from the platform 51 by screwing or unscrewing the threaded shanki 55 through the bearing member '56. The outer side wall 57 of the platform 51 is ".be discharged from the outer end of said provided with an extension 58 constituting a guide, by means of which the coins or substitutes which are of insuflieient weight to fully depress the platform 51, are guided along the arm 52 to be discharged into the receiving chamber 46. The genuine coins will, however, sufficiently depress the platform 51 after contacting with the buffer, to

platform and into the coin box 59'which is disposed in a position beneath said platform to receive the coins. The'receiving chamber 46, which includes a laterally and downwardly inclined bottom wall 60, adapted. to gravitationally discharge the coins which are received therein, through a discharge slot 61 in the side wall 62 of the housing 10, to be received ina return pocket 63 on the exterior of the housing.

In order, however, toprevent the discharge of the coins within the receiving chamber 46 therefrom, until a genuine coin has been deposited, a closure element 64 in themture of a vertically slid-able gate, is arranged H within the hopper in guides 65. The gate is provided with an inwardly projecting lift pin 66 with which an extension stem 67 of the arm 52 is adapted to engage when a genuine coin sufficiently over-balances the platform 51 to permit the raising of the notched lower end 68 of the gate or closure 64 to register with and uncover the outlet slot 61'to allow for the discharge of the coin or coins within the receiving chamber 46.

In event of a bent or worn coin sticking or clogging within the chute 14 between its bottom wall and the lower edge 19 of the arm 18, it will be observed that the insertion of a genuine coin, which automatically de-' presses the trough 12 to raise the arm 18, will effect the release of the tr: pcd coin so that the same will be discharged into the hopper 48 through the chute 47 into the receiving chamber 46, the arm 18 gravitating to its normal position prior to the last-mentioned deposited coin reaching the gaging notch 16. If the coin is a genuine one and passes the measuring and weighing tests, the previously trapped coin will be released and discharged into the pocket 63.

lVhat is claimed is: i

1. In a coin detector including a cointesting means, a return mechanism for receiving and trapping coins rejected by the testing means, and means operable by the subsequent passage of a genuine coin through the testing means for releasing and delivering the trapped rejected coins.

2. In a coin detector including coin-measuring and weighing means for rejecting coins of improper size and weight, a return mechanism for receiving and trapping the rejected coins, and means operable by the subsequent passage of a genuine coin throu h the device for releasing and discharging the trapped rejected coins.

3. In a coin detector includin a coinmeasuring device and a coin-weighing mechanism for rejecting coins of improper size and weight,.a return mechanism for receiving and'trapping the rejected coins, means operable by the subsequent passage of a genuine coin through the device for releasing and discharging the trapped rejected coins,

Ill)

and means Operable by the initial insertion of a subsequent coin for releasing coins clogged in the measuring device.

4. A coin-detecting device including coinmeasuring and Weighing mechanisms for re spectivelyrejecting coins of improper size and weight, a casing therefor having a receiving compartmenttherein to which the coins rejected by said mechanisms are conveyed, saidcasing having a discharge opening therein communicating with thereceiving compartment, a pocket disposed exteriorly or the casing and adjacent said discharge opening, a shiftable closure means for the said discharge opening, and means operable by the passage of a genuine coin through the measuring and Weighing mechanisms for shifting the closure to an open position to permit of the discharge of the rejected coins from the receiving compartment into the exterior pocket.

, 5. A coin-detecting device including coinmeasuring and Weighing mechanisms for. re spectively rejecting coins of improper size and Weight, a casing therefor having a receiving compartment therein to which the coins rejected by said mechanisms aregravi tationally conveyed, said casing having a discharge opening therein communicating with the receiving compartment, a pocket disposed exteriorly of the casing and adjacent said discharge opening, a shiftable closure means for the said discharge opening, and means operable by the passage of a genuine coin through the measuring and Weighing mechanisms for shifting the closure to an open position to permit of the discharge or the rejected coins from the receiving compartment into the exterior pocket.

6. A device for separating genuine coins of a given denomination from spurious coins or substitutes, comprising conveying means for accurately gaging the coins as to their diameter and for discharging the same, from the conveyor, mechanism for receiving and Weighing the coins or substitutes of proper size, and for deflecting the heavier and lighter and genuine coins at separate points,

means for receiving the rejected coins; said device including a housing having an outlet provided with a receiving pocket, a shiftable closure for said outlet,and means connected with the Weighing mechanism and operable by the passage of a genuine coin therethrough for engaging and shifting the closure member to an open position for releasing the rejected coins.

7. A device for separating genuine coins of a given denomination from spurious coins or substitutes, comprising conveying means for accurately gaging the coins as to their diameter and for discharging the same from the conveyer, mechanism for receiving and Weighingthecoins or substitutes of proper size and for deflecting the heavier and light er and genuine coins at separate points,

means for receiving the rejected coins; said device including a housing having an outlet provlded with a receiving pocket, a shlftable closure for saidoutlet, and means connected with a Weighing mechanism and operable;

by the passage of a genuine coin therethrough for engaging and shiftlng the clo sure member to an open position for releasing the rejected coins, the said Conveying,

and diameter-gaging means including a device operable by the insertion of a genuine coin for releasing the trapped or clogged coins in said conveying means to permit of the subsequent return of the same by the passage of the genuine coin through the device.

WALTER C. BELLOWSQ 

